Some senators from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and their All Progressives Congress, APC, were, yesterday, preparing for a showdown over different positions on the confirmation of two of 16 remaining ministerial nominees.
It was, however, learnt that Senate President Bukola Saraki was determined to weigh in on behalf of the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and the ministerial nominee from Cross River State, Usani Uguru. The duo had been caught up in a grudge war mounted by PDP senators.
Amaechi is held in contempt by the PDP Senate caucus for his role in the defeat of the former ruling party in the last round of elections. Uguru brought himself into the bad book of the PDP Senate caucus when, during his screening, he said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP.
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| Pastor Usani Uguru |
Following the end of the screening of the nominees yesterday, the PDP Senate caucus held a meeting where they reportedly took a position against the confirmation of Amaechi. The senators were said to have resolved not to consider Amaechi’s nomination unless the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges on the petitions filed against the former Rivers State governor was brought forward for consideration first.
Last five nominees screened
Five nominees were screened, yesterday, bringing to an end, the exercise that commenced about three weeks ago.
The five nominees screened were former Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Anthony Anwuka (Imo); financial expert and medical doctor, Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia); newspaper columnist, Adamu Adamu (Bauchi); former Executive Secretary of National Hajj Commission, Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa), and Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto).
However, the confirmation exercise which was expected to commence immediately after, did not, as Senate President Saraki announced the adjournment of the Senate to today.
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| Amaechi at the senate screening |
PDP senators sulk, plan offensive
PDP senators are also said to have been further miffed by the reverses suffered by the party in Rivers State in the last one week, including the cancellation of Governor Nyesom Wike’s election and that of PDP state legislators, and Tuesday’s Supreme Court’s rejection of Wike’s bid to negate the sitting of the Governorship Election Tribunals in Abuja.
Although they refused to address the media after their meeting which lasted for just thirty minutes, some members, who spoke to newsen on the condition of anonymity said the meeting resolved that before the confirmation, the Samuel Anyanwu-led Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions’ report, must be considered.
One of the sources also said the PDP senators, in the meeting, resolved not to allow Pastor Usani Uguru to be confirmed today. He described Uguru as a light-hearted man who cannot be entrusted with any sensitive public office like the one he was nominated for.
Also, at the meeting, the PDP senators, according to one of them, vowed to withdraw their support for the Senate President should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.
It was also gathered that another meeting of the PDP caucus would be held before the confirmation.
APC senators plan counter-action
APC senators have equally scheduled a caucus meeting this morning before commencement of plenary where they are also expecting to fine-tune their strategies to push through all the nominees. The confirmation process is expected to hold today if enough APC senators are present in the chambers to outplay the PDP senators.
In that event, the Senate would first go into a closed-door session during which senators would raise issues about the nominees. Following the closed-door session the senators would resort back to plenary where a voice vote would be taken on each of the nominees.
The ruling of the Senate President would be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division and it is at this point that PDP senators may challenge whatever decision Senator Saraki takes on Amaechi and Uguru.
Only one of the nominees screened yesterday, Aisha Abubakar, daughter of former super permanent secretary and minister, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji was waved through without a question. She was asked to take a bow and go upon submission by Senator Abiodun Olujimi. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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All gimmicks and drama. They should stop all these unnecessary attention seeking and do their jobs. That was how Dino Malaye came on air to say "it will not be business as usual, all ministerial nominees will be drilled and no more take a bow and go". All hogwash, both PDP and APC are one and the same.
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
DeleteI hail the 2 ApC generals among the Nominees Lai Mohammed and chibuike R . Amaechi . Long live APC . Long Live Nigeriia
ReplyDeleteThis is how we hail men and women who loot are treasuries without remorse
DeleteKeep on praising them, let them loot the remaining
# I have not taken bribe
Complete support for Hazel. This puts a big question mark on whether our president is fighting corruption or political enemies. The sad part of it is that one of my beloved pastor is lost mingled with this dirty games of politics
DeleteAccusations against Amaechi are very weighty and must be investigsted. In more civilised countries his name should never have been submitted in the first instance. Amaechi's criminal acts cum his corruption ridden administration in Rivers State smell to high heavens.
ReplyDeleteAlhaji Buhari only wants to compensate him for being a sponsor of his campaign. Amaechi did all that with tax payers money. If the president alhaji Buhari must be seen to be fighting corruption, his hands must be clean. Why is he doing selective prosecution and investigation of his political foes and opponents? Nigeria aren't fools and he cannot blindfold us any more. He's spent over five months in office with nothing to show for them. Amaechi must not be confirmed as a minister because his past is catching up with him. Let malam Buhari know that he would not remain in power forever and stop chasing shadows. These errand boys are the same that will expose his vindictiveness against his perceived enemies instead of distancing himself from the Amaechi and others.
Let me say emphatically that the international community is watching as well, at his two faced approach to war against corruption. Amaechi must not be confirmed as a minister, but be made to face the full weight of the law for his multi faceted corruption allegations. Why is he running? Why is malam Buhari shielding him? Where did he get the money with which he financed the presidents campaigns? He claimed his father was a palm wine tapper, so let him tell the whole world the source of the money or malam Bubari's fight against corruption would be another sham, like the suitcases of cash imported into this country when all borders were closed, in his first attempt at governance. God bless Nigeria.
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DeleteFind time to watch the ministerial confirmation of senator Obanikoro during the time the PDP held sway in the Senate and you will find that there is absolutely no difference between what happened then and in Rotimi Ameachi's confirmation. Nigeria is the same whether under PDP or APC!
DeleteSo why chant and vote for change? this is very appalling, I thought we needed change from what happened during Obanikoro's time hence the change. Na wah for Nigerians oh, we are our own problem, we talk from two sides of our mouth and IQ is just too low.
DeleteWhy is it taking you guys so long to publish my comments? I demand an explanation, as no foul language was used. Or do you object to objective and unbiased comments? Please send the response to my email box. Thanks. Amen
ReplyDeleteHe who eats with the devil must be ready for the consequence of his action. He who has ears, let him hear.
ReplyDeleteBoth APC and PDP are one and the same, I just hope they put their stealing aside and do a great job this time around. Enough of the looting. We are watching.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned,Amaechi is a suspect for corrupt practices. If the change and anti corruption mantra that the APC rode on to get on top today is real,they should at least wait for Amaechi to be cleared by an upright judicial process on all petitions leveled against him before giving him any public responsibility of that magnitude.
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DeleteHow can they wait for Amaechi to be clear of corrupt charges when he spent our hard earned Rivers money on Buhari's campaign? or you have not heard that 80% of sponsorship came from Amaechi and Rivers money, Ameachi was actually gunning for the vice presidency, as it stands now he has been short changed and you are here talking of been cleared by who? same Buhari's attack dogs. kwakwakwakwa......I laugh in Arabic!
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